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You are here: Home / Pet Blogging / Dog Blogging / Puppy Update

Reader Interactions

83Comments

  1. 1.

    jl

    Thanks for the cute pet pic. It is adorable.

    Is that an old fashioned hoop skirt Boghan is wearing? Or a kilt? Either way, it is an adorable picture.

  3. 3.

    trollhattan

    I just love that breed, and hardly ever see them. He looks a real character, in the good sense. “Ready for action, sir!”

  5. 5.

    South of I-10

    Oh good, dog thread. My parents’ dog, a 3 year old black lab, is very ill. Started last week, throwing up, diarrhea, high fever. Blood tests aren’t showing anything, she hasn’t been poisoned. She had gotten a little better and was home over the weekend, she started throwing up again today, so she is back at the vet’s tonight. Anyone have any clue or have had a dog go through something like this? The vet thinks her kidneys are shutting down now. I’m afraid they are going to lose her.

  6. 6.

    beltane

    Maybe he is ornery because he read makewi’s comment’s on Annie Laurie’s thread. Sometimes I think dogs are lucky that they can’t read.

  10. 10.

    mr. whipple

    They grow up so fast. Before ya know it, they are driving, then off to college. Then a first job and house and then they get married.

    Oh, wait….

  11. 11.

    demo woman

    @South of I-10: 3 years old.. That is so sad. I’ve had goldens and a shar pei before Miss Moxie and have not experienced anything like that.
    Duchess died when she was twelve and when her kidneys started failing there was considerable swelling on her leg.
    Pudgy the sharpei had kidney problems and the same thing but no signs of other problems.
    Hopefully the pup is okay.

  13. 13.

    mxh

    @South of I-10

    Is it possible that the dog swallowed something that is causing a blockage? Labs are notorious for that, and the symptoms are consistent. Lost a wonderful 3 year old Olde English Bulldogge that way. Winston’s photo was even put up by John in an Oct. 2008 dog thread.

  14. 14.

    Violet

    He’s getting so big! He looks so alert and interested in everything. Good dog!

    @South of I-10:

    So sorry to hear that. Could it be suspect dog food, like the Chinese dog food problems several years ago? If she was getting okay at the vet’s and now isn’t so well, it makes me wonder if there’s not something she’s being exposed to in the house that is a problem.

    Anything different happen in the house? Pest treatment or new cleaning fluid or anything? No evidence of spider bites or snake bites or anything?

    I’m so sorry. Keep us posted.

  15. 15.

    CorgiFan

    @South of I-10:

    Something very similar happened to one of our corgis when he was about the same age — vomiting, diarrhea, high fever, blood work was negative. Our vet dosed him with some very high-powered antibiotics and had him on an IV drip to keep him hydrated. We never did figure out what caused it, but we suspect that he ate an overdose of grass clippings from our compost pile (we moved it right after that). He recovered after coming frighteningly close to death. We lost him about a month ago at not quite 11 years old, though, so it may have shortened his life by up to 4 years.

    Best wishes for your parents’ young lab’s recovery!

  18. 18.

    Emma

    My Mom has a half schnauzer half poodle and he has those ridiculously long legs too. Weird. This smallish body perched on those loooong bony legs…

  20. 20.

    superfly

    Until I clicked on the pic to make it bigger, I thought the dog was sitting on its butt like a human, ie that its front paws were its “legs” and its hind legs were its “arms” and that its head was way too big for its body.

    Freaky.

  22. 22.

    Currants

    @South of I-10:
    If the dog’s a purebred and has had its diet changed recently, that could cause the symptoms. My daughter changed her dog’s dry food on the advice of a vet, but the dog turned out to be allergic to the food–passing excessive gas and other symptoms, and after 2 or 3 weeks had a severe reaction which sounds much like this one: vomiting, diarrhea, dehydrated, feverish, shaking. After a very dicey week, she was somewhat better, and is now 2 months later mostly recovered–and back on the old food for good. (Note that she’s not a lab–she’s a Rhodesian ridgeback, but a ridgeless one and the runt of the litter at that.) Good luck.

  24. 24.

    demo woman

    I’m taking care of a cat and for five minutes, the cat sat next to me on one side and Miss Moxie sat on the other. What a great accomplishment. Life is good.

  25. 25.

    South of I-10

    @Violet: My first thought was bad food. Mom threw out the bag she had been feeding, and had been making her very bland people food since she had been home, on Drs orders. She said she hasn’t used anything new in the house.

    @CorgiFan: They don’t have a compost pile, but if they did, she would be in it. My Dad took her to the Duck Camp the weekend before, I wonder if she didn’t either get in some pesticides or pick something up in a muddy field or a pond. It would seem like something would show on a blood test?

    Thanks to everyone for your kind thoughts. If she pulls through, I will make it a point to tell my very conservative Mom about all the kind dirty hippies who took a moment to try to help.

  26. 26.

    Betsy

    Chompers snuggled up on my lap for the first time since April yesterday.

    Fall must be coming…

  27. 27.

    SiubhanDuinne

    He’s at that wonderful stage where none of his body parts quiiiiite match up. But he is just adorable, and once everything fits, he’s going to be a very handsome dog, yes he is *yes he is* YES HE IS.

  29. 29.

    NeenerNeener

    @South of I-10:

    One of my Aussies has digestive issues that manifest with vomiting and the squirts. Feeding her a really bland diet seems to help: lots of white rice, cottage cheese, boiled chicken, low fat hamburger, etc. She’s really sensitive to changing the brand of dog food, and also the type of protein in the dog food (and to pollen as well; she’s living on doggy Claritin this summer), but her brother could chew old tires and roll in goldenrod without any ill effects.

  31. 31.

    demo woman

    @South of I-10: rice is a staple for sick dogs. I would make a pot with lots of extra water and then slowly introduce a little meat to it.
    Hmmph…hippies all of us..
    I’m not even sure what words mean anymore.

  33. 33.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @South of I-10: Oh, how sad and worrying. I hope it turns out to be both temporary and relatively painless /uneventful for everyone concerned.

  34. 34.

    Jman

    Hawt dawg, big furry paws! My goldie learned to curl up on the hassock when he was a pup and still does 7 years and 75 lbs later.

  37. 37.

    Violet

    @South of I-10:

    My Dad took her to the Duck Camp the weekend before, I wonder if she didn’t either get in some pesticides or pick something up in a muddy field or a pond. It would seem like something would show on a blood test?

    How long after that trip did she get sick? If it was pretty soon after, seems like that could be a likely culprit. Depending on what they test for, it might or might not show up on the blood test.

    She was thoroughly checked for spider and snake bites, right?

    I also agree with the ultrasound. Perhaps she actually ingested something that’s still there causing problems. Like something solid. Might need to consider that if it hasn’t already been done.

  38. 38.

    The Egg

    @South of I-10: If the kidneys were failing, that would show up in the bloodwork.

    I’m with whomever mentioned the dog having eaten something that’s causing a blockage. Have they done x-rays or an ultrasound? I’ve had dogs who had to have things surgically removed (socks, usually), and a friend who’s dog died this way.

    If it’s not a blockage, then you’ve got to get that dog to another vet immediately–it could be a million different things.

    Good luck.

  39. 39.

    demo woman

    MSM’s discussion on Cordoba House has really left me in a funk I mentioned this earlier but what’s next. Jay (I think) mentioned the Bill of Rights and what it means today…nothing… Am I alone or will this too pass.

  42. 42.

    birthmarker

    Dogs eating dental floss can cause serious problems. I think it shows up on xrays though.

  43. 43.

    Anne Laurie

    @schrodinger’s cat: Soonergrunt posted earlier today:

    Brief shot of potentially good news:
    The mass (doc won’t call it a ‘tumor’ for some reason) does not appear to have invaded (his term) the ventricular chamber. It appears to be on the outside of the heart. “This seems to indicate a benign growth.”
    I had a 12-lead EKG done in walking, sitting, and lying down positions. No “gross abnormalities,” which I take to mean that there’s nothing obviously wrong, but the cardiologist has to look at it first.
    potentially bad news:
    I met with a cardiovascular surgeon right after meeting with the oncologist. His concern is that the mass is sitting right on top of an artery and may be crushing it or diverting the blood from where it’s supposed to go. That the mass has appropriated a blood supply seems to be rather ominous, but maybe I misunderstood him. He wants to take this thing out as soon as practical. I’m going to meet with an anesthesiologist this afternoon before I go see the lawyer.
    It occurs to me that I might not have been very clear the other day. I’m going to see the lawyer to get my will and power of attorney updated. There was some speculation that I might be looking to sue somebody. That is not the case.

  44. 44.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    You get to a point, when you know, that sooner or later, your best pal is on his way to the rainbow bridge. I am hoping Lucky can hang on til Mom gets here (ha ha we said that last year), if he is to go, I want him to go while Mom is here. Two weeks, just two weeks. Hang on buddy.

  45. 45.

    beltane

    @Anne Laurie: That looks like somewhat good news. A benign tumor is better than the alternative. Maybe someone here can translate the medical jargon for us.

  46. 46.

    demo woman

    @Anne Laurie: Thank you, thank you, I did not see that news. The power of prayer doesn’t seem to work with me but my fingers are crossed and hopefully he will be okay He is such a powerful voice and we need him.

  47. 47.

    Joseph Nobles

    Everybody knows you don’t try to build a mosque close to Ground Zero in August.

    For those who want to see what’s not getting covered while the media chases shiny objects, Han Blix testified before the British Iraq Inquiry on July 27, and C-Span’s going to run his testimony in about 30 minutes (21:43 Eastern time). Baroness Manningham-Buller’s tesimony was pretty powerful, and I expect no less from Blix.

  48. 48.

    TaMara (BHF)

    @John Cole – I sent you an email with a teeny request. Try not to delete it in a 3200 email rampage, okay?

    Also, is anyone else having trouble with submitting comments or is that just something I’m experiencing here in “Spain”?

  51. 51.

    South of I-10

    Sorry y’all, I’m on my phone which makes it difficult to respond individually. A blockage has been ruled out, so the vet must have done either x-rays or an ultrasound. I am not positive about bites having been ruled out, but knowing this vet, he would check for those first. I am going to call my parents in the morning and (again) gently suggest that take her to the LSU Vet school. They just lost their elder lab about a year ago, and I think it would be pretty traumatic to lose their pup so soon.

    As for all of you being dirty hippies, trust me, this is S. La. You are all dirty hippies here. :)

  53. 53.

    Anne Laurie

    @South of I-10: From what I know about Labs, everybody’s suggestion of “a blockage” would be my first guess, too. Especially if she got sick a couple days after going out to the duck camp — I have known Labs who required surgery after eating rocks, vast quantities of gutting-blood-soaked dead leaves that formed an impaction, and part of a foam-rubber “bumper” retrieving decoy. I’d think any vet would have the same first guess, but maybe your parents believe the dog couldn’t have ingested anything? (One of the rock-eaters’ owners was absolutely, positively sure their property had been dog-proofed, but they didn’t expect an otherwise sane animal to eat the fist-sized stones from under the barbecue grill.)

    The other catch-all remedy of the moment, among my Papillon-owning acquaintances here in the Northeast, is “Check for Lyme disease.” Don’t know how prevalent it’s supposed to be in your parents’ area (but it’s turning up all over the country now), and of course teensy little toy dogs are more fragile than Labs. But there has been lots of chatter about dogs with unexplained kidney/liver problems who “mysteriously” improved when they were treated with heavy-duty anti-Lyme medication, so if the vet doesn’t have any better ideas, it might be worth a shot? (Some of these Paps are said to have had ‘negative’ Lyme tests — there’s a theory that the standard test either isn’t sensitive enough, or is missing a new strain of the Lyme bug. May be worth asking about, anyway.)

  55. 55.

    Kristine

    @Violet: A few years ago, a friend’s Lab came down with bad GI upset–vomiting, diarrhea. Xray showed a mass in the dog’s stomach, which scared everyone. I forgot what happened next, but the mass turned out to be the result of an infection acquired by drinking mucky pond water. A major dose of antibiotics later, the dog was fine.

    One of my dogs is part Lab. King will eat anything and everything–I’m amazed that one of his dietary adventures hasn’t landed him in surgery.

  56. 56.

    HRA

    Great pic and gorgeous pup. I say he has the look of having some ancestry from the Isles sitting on the plaid. Reminds me of a family Irish wolfhound who I once loved dearly, too.

  58. 58.

    Anne Laurie

    @Litlebritdifrnt: Stupid and nu-age-woowoo as it’s gonna sound… make sure you tell Lucky, explicitly, that your Mom is visiting & when. All we can know for sure about how much our animal companions understand is that we don’t know how much, or how, we’re communicating to them. Since we humans are so word-oriented, I personally think that using our words (“Lucky, I’ve been worried about how beaten and fragile this horrible weather is making you feel, but I want you to know, my Mom is coming for her visit in just ‘x’ days”) channels our less-than-ept body signals more effectively. I’m not doing the best description here, but I think you understand what I’m trying to say…

  60. 60.

    Gina

    @South of I-10: With Rotties, I would worry about a breakthrough infection of parvo or distemper – sometimes the vax doesn’t totally work for that breed, I’m not familiar with Labs enough to know if that applies to them too.

    The other thought, which someone else mentioned up thread, was if there was a recent flea spot application – my parent’s cat died of kidney failure at a very young age a few days after getting a spot treatment, though he’d had them before. Again, not sure if this would apply at all in a Lab.

    FWIW, subcutaneous fluids are pretty easy to give at home, if they want to try supportive care to flush stuff out. Perhaps the vet would help them with that?

  62. 62.

    Throwin Stones

    Haven’t read upthread yet, but you must not have had many large-breed puppies. How big are those paws?

  63. 63.

    Throwin Stones

    @South of I-10:We’ve had some bad issues up here in Ohio with toxic algee (blue?) due to runoff from farms.
    St. Marys is the worst thus far, but I believe they’ve found 2 or three more potentially dangerous.
    Two or three dogs have died and one owner was hospitalized for several days.
    Such a shame as I used to visit – fish, boat, etc., while I grew up, many moons ago.

  64. 64.

    LiberalTarian

    @TaMara (BHF): Yes. Like they never existed. Which leads me to wondering if I really did type up a comment and submit it. Then, wonder, am I really here? Is this real?? ;o)

  65. 65.

    WaterGirl

    My reading glasses fell apart at the grocery store yesterday so I had to go buy another pair at Walgreens. Who knew there were such fun tag lines at the top of each page? I mean, I knew they were there but I guess they were so small before that I never bothered with them. Now they are jumping off the page at me as it loads. Very fun!

  66. 66.

    soonergrunt

    Hi, all.
    I spoke to an Anesthesiologist at OU Medical Center today. From what he and the Thoracic surgeon We are tentatively scheduled for surgery on Wednesday, the 8th of September. It will be a “cardiopulmonary bypass” which means that the heart and lungs will be bypassed and a machine will pump and oxygenate my blood. I’ll be in surgery for between four and five hours, but will be pretty much out of it for the whole day. Probably not released from the hospital until the weekend.
    If it weren’t for the recent pneumonia, we’d go earlier, like next week, but I still get weak and tire easily.
    On a personal note, I wonder if anyone else has ever dealt with something like this and noticed how all the doctors all seem to hedge what they’re saying, “it seems to be” and “appears that” and so on. It’s like they’re spooked about either spooking me (that train left the station long ago) or they’re spooked about me suing them.
    Also, what is it with anesthesia? Like five minutes of different things that could go wrong and either kill me or leave me drooling on the lazy boy for 30 years. I’m almost more scared of the surgery now than just leaving the damn thing in.

  67. 67.

    TaMara (BHF)

    FYWP. Try #34

    @South of I-10: I mentioned in the comment that was eaten earlier that I took my dogs to woods, they drank from a stream and a month later one came down with Guardia (sp). From what my vet said, it can hit a dog at random times or not at all.

    Also in same comment, commented on large breed dogs – 3/4 of their growth comes in the first 6 months. This makes it seem like they grow inches overnight. It’s surprising you can’t hear them grow.

  68. 68.

    TaMara (BHF)

    @soonergrunt: I’m going to join the 100 other people who are going to wish you well. I’ll send lots of light and love your way. I had back surgery years ago and they always framed everything in ‘might be’ etc. I think it’s standard talk so you’re ready for anything unexpected.

    Keep us updated.

  69. 69.

    bystander

    @soonergrunt: The drill about anesthesia is standard. That’s ’cause people are individuals, and although 95% of the population falls within 2 standard deviations of the mean, that does not mean the tails don’t exist. If you’ve ever had anesthesia before, and were reported to have had an unusual experience, it’d be good to let the anesthesiologist know.

    As for the hedging… depending on what kind of imaging they did, they either know a little, or not much. Most imaging techniques reduce the field to two dimensions. Your surgery will be a three dimensional process. There are potential issues that could appear in 3D that were obscured in the 2D view. Hopefully, you’ve a surgeon who has “seen it all.” There have been so many bypass surgeries done to date, it’s nearly a routine procedure. The nature of your mass may make this different, and some of that “nature” might not be revealed until they get in there.

    Thinking of you. Bunring joss sticks for luck. Wishing you a totally unremarkable surgery and recovery.

  70. 70.

    Throwin Stones

    @soonergrunt: You are strong. Moreso than I.
    Yes, the speak is the surgeon speak. We visited seveal specialists with my wife’s issues, and they all sounded like that. Don’t let that bother you.
    The anethstesia folks are good. Thank FSM. That’s not a concern either.
    Thinking good thoughts for soonergrunt.

  71. 71.

    Throwin Stones

    @soonergrunt: reposting due to sp3cialist and the stupid filter
    \sorry if it’s a dup

    @soonergrunt: You are strong. Moreso than I.
    Yes, the speak is the surgeon speak. We visited seveal sp3cialists with my wife’s issues, and they all sounded like that. Don’t let that bother you.
    The anethstesia folks are good. Thank FSM. That’s not a concern either.
    Thinking good thoughts for soonergrunt.

  72. 72.

    jeffreyw

    @soonergrunt: They seem to be on top of it, so there is that. Best wishes and all that. I’ve been put under once, long ago as a kid, had eye surgery. Best thing about it is you sleep through it.

  73. 73.

    Grover Gardner

    Oh good, dog thread. My parents’ dog, a 3 year old black lab, is very ill. Started last week, throwing up, diarrhea, high fever. Blood tests aren’t showing anything, she hasn’t been poisoned. She had gotten a little better and was home over the weekend, she started throwing up again today, so she is back at the vet’s tonight. Anyone have any clue or have had a dog go through something like this? The vet thinks her kidneys are shutting down now. I’m afraid they are going to lose her.

    Our young lab ate a whole lamb shank bone. Similar symptoms. Exploratory surgery revealed no splinters or blockage. Doc said pancreas gets out of whack. Antibiotics and bland diet brought her back to normal but it took a couple of weeks. Best of luck.

  76. 76.

    katiemc

    Soonergrunt,

    A friend of mine just had a very similar situation. Went infor a routine exam in anticipation of getting some polyps removed from his nose and in the course of the physical they found a growth just outside a valve in his heart. They did the surgery and took it out with a robotic arm of sorts (no clue on the details). At any rate, he was out for many hours. The growthwas benign but had they not found it it would have blocked his valve or artery. The good news is he’s fine. Bit of pain recovering and a scar but back to normal in two months. And he is 60. So if you want to email him to discuss the experience let me know. I know you too will be just fine:)

  77. 77.

    Yutsano

    Obligatory PUPPEH!!!

    Okay Grunt, you’ve been through two fucking wars. You think the FSM is gonna let a little bump on the heart take you out? I doubt it. My prediction: you’ll sail through the surgery and be your feisty old self by Thanksgiving. And that will be the sweetest turkey you’ve ever eaten, even if your wife burns it. Ganbatte kudasai.

  80. 80.

    Deb T

    What a handsome dog! I had a mutt that we could never figure out the breeds that made him up. Boghan’s face looks just like Jasper’s except Jasper was black. I’m sure this is fascinating to everyone (not), but I’ll share anyway.

  82. 82.

    South of I-10

    @soonergrunt: I’m so sorry to hear this, I hope you get well soon. I will be thinking about you.

    @Anne Laurie: After reading the symptoms of Lyme, I called my Mom to tell her to call the vet and ask if he tested for Lyme, because the symptoms are almost identical to what the pup has. She is calling now.

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